Toy Theater

ABSTRACT

A miniature magnetic theater apparatus provides an elevated surface supporting on its upper face (stage) one or more magnetic characters. The characters utilize magnets positioned under the stage for manipulation by a user in accordance with a stage play. Scenery elements may utilize magnets to attach to magnetically receptive drops, wings and a back wall. The drops and wings may be positioned in slotted side beams for positioning and support.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority based on a U.S. Provisional application filed on Nov. 2, 2017, serial number 62/580,585.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to toy theaters with an improved functionality of the characters, and ability to layer magnetic scenery. Although toy theaters were popular in the 17^(th) century and sold as toys in that time, the use of toy theaters has diminished. If toy theaters exist today, they are sold as art or novelty items to adults. Most toy theaters sold today are made of cardboard, cardstock. These materials may not be sufficiently rugged for use by children. The characters and scenery are usually sold in a paper doll cut and assemble style. Cardboard, card stock, or wood material do not provide the longevity that parents want in toys today.

There are many significant benefits in learning for a child playing with a toy theater. They can learn social and communication skills with other children, spatial skills, collaboration, architecture, critical thinking, trust, memory, social awareness, and problem solving. But to gain these advantages, a better toy theater is needed.

The present invention provides such a theater. It modifies the material and makes toy theaters suitable for modern children. The invention provides kids a modern, durable toy theater that uses a magnetic system of interchangeable surfaces and magnetically-based characters to design, produce and put on a stage show. Additionally, the magnetically-based characters may come with corresponding magnetic disc that may be used to manipulate the characters around the stage. The corresponding magnetic disc is positioned below the stage, and is used to move the character around the stage. The magnets are sufficiently strong, and the stage materially sufficiently thin and magnetically permeable to allow for this type of “hidden” manipulation of the characters by the user.

The area under the stage is generally accessible to the user from one side, both sides, the back, or some combination of these. This allows the user to remain out of view of the audience, much like a puppeteer, though with the present invention, the characters in the stage play need not be suspended from above and supported at any point above the stage. The use of magnets to manipulate the characters allows for a more realistic stage show than is typically possible with existing designs.

The front vented surface (i.e., the front surface of the theater that faces the audience) and rear surface are magnetically receptive and are both connected to the stage that is elevated to allow a user access to the area under the stage for manipulating characters, as described above. A bottom surface, positioned below the elevated stage and at the lowest level of the theater may be used to provide additional support for the structure. Two slotted side beams may run above the elevated surface from the front vented surface to the rear surface and hold various magnetically receptive drops and wings.

The toy theater may include an initial set of magnetic themed scenic illustrations such as a village, castle, forest, and sky scenes. These magnetic illustrations can attach to any magnetic surface of the structure to create plays or musicals and put on a show. The use of this toy is not just for creative use of kids but also can be used in education by arts and drama teachers. It can also be used in therapy especially for special education. The toy may be add-on based, and the purchaser may have the ability to purchase numerous different themed scenic illustrations packs and characters adding on to the structure and building a world of play. Add-on packs linked to popular movies, books, or other materials may be offered for use with the invention in order to broaden its appeal in the market. The present invention allows layering of scenery, thus producing a more realistic representation of actual physical presence in a theater.

SUMMARY

It is the objective of the present invention to provide an improved functionality of characters and layering of magnetized scenery. The present invention provides a miniature magnetic theater comprising an elevated surface, having a front and rear end, fixed between a vented front surface and a rear surface. The invention also includes at least one beam having multiple slots or slots fixed between tops of the front and rear surfaces. Finally, all of these surfaces may be magnetically receptive.

While multiple aspects of the invention are herein disclosed, still other aspects will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. As will be apparent, certain aspects, as disclosed herein, are capable of modifications in various obvious aspects. All such modification may be done without departing from the scope of the claims as presented herein.

A primary objective of the present invention is to provide children with an interactive magnetic theater having advantages not taught by prior art. Another objective is to provide such a theater having certain magnetic and specific characters. Another objective is to provide such a theater having magnetic manipulation of said characters to produce movement. A further objective is to provide such a theater that uses magnetic scenery to enhance the performance quality of its users. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate the present invention. In such drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a view of a portion of a slotted side beam showing a means for placement of wings and drops of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a view of a wing that would be housed inside a slot visible in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a view of a drop that would be housed inside a slot visible in FIG. 4, and shows the option for layering the scenery, using magnetics, as shown by 25.

FIG. 7 is a view of a magnetic character showing a means for connecting the multiple parts of said character and a means for manipulation of said character.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The above described drawing figures illustrate the invention. FIG. 1 shows a miniature magnetic theater apparatus 10, made of durable wood, plastic, metal, Teflon, nylon fiber, high quality plastic, a dense foam that can withstand repeated use by children, or some combination of these or similar materials. The theater 10 comprises an elevated stage surface 12, above a bottom surface 20, that creates space for a child's hand(s) to use one or more dual pole (north/south on both sides) magnetic manipulators 50 (shown in FIG. 2, but not in FIG. 1) under the elevated stage surface 12 that align with another dual pole magnet housed in the figure to create optimal manipulation of the magnetic characters. 22. The combination of the stage 12 and bottom surface 20 provide enhanced stability for the entire structure 10. These surfaces are generally horizontal when the theater 10 is in use and they are positioned between a magnetically receptive front vented surface 16 and a magnetically receptive rear surface 18, where these latter surfaces are generally vertical when the theater 10 is in use.

The front 16 and back 18 are preferably the same height and width, providing a front end and a rear end for the stage 12 that supports at least one magnetic character 22, preferably made of wood, plastic, foam or similar material. In FIG. 1, the front surface 16 has a large opening creating a view of the stage 12, back 18, and other elements of the invention. To create the opening, the front 16 has narrow edges 14 that run along both sides above the stage and across the top, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In a preferred embodiment, these narrow edges 14 are about one inch or less in width. The lower part of the front 16 is solid, which hides the open space created between the stage 12 and bottom 20.

Characters 22 are shown on the stage in FIG. 1. Scenery elements 24 are also shown, and may be attached to various surfaces of the invention using magnets. In a preferred embodiment, the scenery elements and the vertical components of the theater (e.g., the front 16 and back 18 shown in FIG. 1) are magnetic. A sheet magnet material may be used, or any other form of magnet that provides for a consistent magnetic surface. The various types of scenery, i.e. house, nature, space and etc., can also sustain proper magnetic function with glow in the dark paint coating, touch sensitive paint coating, or material treatment. These are all outer layer additions that may be applied to the toy in the future. The invention, however, does not require that all items are magnetic. It is enough that either the scenery elements 24 or the vertical components are magnetic, if the other surface is magnetically receptive. For example, the scenery elements 24 might have sheet magnets over their back surfaces, while the vertical components might be made of iron or other metal that is attracted to the magnetic scenery elements 24. In a preferred embodiment, all of these components are magnetic, which ensures that any scenery element may be attached to any other element by the user. This configuration also allows for layering of elements, as will be explained below.

FIG. 2 shows the theater 10 with a wing 30 and drop 32 in place. These components are positioned between the front 16 and back 18 (not visible in FIG. 2, because of the drop 32). A wing 30 has a vertical component that extends farther into the stage area than the narrow edges 14 of the front 16, but a wing 30 leaves most of the stage area unobstructed. Using wings 30, a user can add scenery elements and a sense of depth to the scene. In addition, by reducing the visible stage area, a wing can draw more attention to the actions presented.

Drops 32, are solid vertical components, essentially walls that completely cover the stage area. The drop 32 in FIG. 2 is positioned behind the wing 30, so that the drop 32 effectively becomes the backdrop of the scene. In preferred embodiments, both wings 30 and drops 32 are covered with magnetic material. Scenery elements 24 (not shown in FIG. 2) may be easily attached to wings 30 and drops 32.

In a preferred embodiment, the invention includes a number of wings and drops, which may include ornamental designs appropriate for particular scenes in a play or musical. For example, wings may be made to look like the inside walls of a castle or parts of a forest. Drops may show a variety of backgrounds, including vistas of natural scenes, or the back walls of a room. By providing a number of preconfigured wings and drops, the user is given a great deal of creative flexibility. Furthermore, wings, drops or magnetic scenes may also receive LED lights that will wrap around the outer edges, or be house within the material. The LED lights will connect to the toy though Bluetooth, wireless internet or other wireless internet capabilities between the two devices. The LED lights will allow for the user to turn the lights on the wings, drops or scenery off and on, or activate a multi-colored color show. At least one basic wing 30 and drop 32 may also be provided, that is, with blank surfaces.

A character 22 is also shown in FIG. 2, as is a magnetic controller 50, which is positioned under the stage 12 and immediately below the character 22. The magnetic controller 50 is typically a magnet, but may be a magnet housed in a wooden, plastic, or other item that is easily held and used by a child. The controller 50 is moved by the user from under the stage, which causes the character 22 to move in the same manner. This operation requires that the stage 12 be thin and/or sufficiently magnetically permeable to allow the magnetic controller 50 to reliably interact with and move the character 22, which preferably has a small magnet in its base.

The relative positioning of the items described above is shown in FIG. 3. The front 16 and back 18 are relatively thin, compared to the slotted sides 28. The stage 12 is seen here from above, and the wing 30 can be seen positioned in front of the drop 32 and the back 18. Both the wing 30 and drop 32 appear to be solid in FIG. 3, but that is because their upper portions are solid material from side-to-side. The drop 32 is a solid piece in the preferred embodiment, but could have openings in it, such as a door, window, or other type of opening. The wing 30, on the other hand, is mostly open, as shown in FIG. 2. In preferred embodiments, wings 30 have upper portions of about the same width as the narrow edges 14 of the front 16. This allows these parts of the wings 30 to remain hidden from view of the audience. Characters 22 are shown in the area between the wing 30 and drop 32.

The slotted sides 28 are shown in more detail in FIG. 4. There are a series of slots 38 and protrusions 36, with the slots 38 sized to match the thickness of the wings 30 and drops 32. In a preferred embodiment, the wings 30 and drops 32 are about ¼ to 5/16 of an inch in thickness, so the slots 38 would be slightly larger to allow for easy insertion by a user. The slots 38 in each side 28 are aligned, and the slotted material is thick enough (i.e., thickness here running in the vertical direction) to provide stability for wings 30 and drops 32 in use. A slotted side 28 that is at least one inch thick is sufficient, but slotted sides of up to three inches thickness, or more, may be desirable to allow for more durability over time.

Typical examples of a wing 30 and drop 32 are shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, respectively. The surfaces of these items are magnetic, for example, through use a magnetic sheet material (also referred to as magnetic fabric 34, shown covering the full surfaces of the wing 30 and drop 32 in FIGS. 5 and 6). Scenery items 24 are shown attached to the wing 30 and drop 32. The scenery 24 is also magnetic in a preferred embodiment, but these items can be merely magnetically attracted to the magnetic surfaces of the wings 30 and drops 32. This characteristic of the invention allows for easy application, repositioning, and removal of scenery items 24 by a young user. Note that scenery items 24 may extend beyond the edges of a wing 30, as the clouds do in FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 shows an added benefit of the magnetic surfaces of these materials. Two of the scenery items 24 in FIG. 6 are trees, and in the tree on the right, there is an apple 25. The apple 25 is layered on the tree 24, which is attached magnetically to the drop 32. The ability to layer scenery items greatly increases the options for the user. Indeed, by making the scenery items 24 magnetic, only the imagination of a user will limit the ways layering can be used in the present invention. It is also possible to attach scenery items 24 to the back of a wing 30 so that only the parts extending beyond the edge of the wing 30 are visible to the audience. This is another form of layering that can be done with the present invention.

A typical character 22 is shown in more detail in FIG. 7. There are three sections of this character 22: a head 40, torso 42, and base 44. The head 40 may have features 41, such as eyes, nose, and mouth, as in FIG. 7. An optional, and possibly removable hat 43 is also shown to give an idea of the flexibility of this design.

The body parts are connected in this embodiment using tab and slot features. The head 40, for example, has a small, cylindrical tab 46 that is sized to fit into the circular slot 47 on the upper side of the torso 42. A slightly larger cylindrical tab 48 extends from the lower side of the torso 42, and is sized to fit within a corresponding circular slot 49 on the upper side of the base 44. These parts may be secured together to form a unitary character 22.

The base 44 has a recessed magnet 45 in its the lower side. A physically separate operator magnet 50 is also shown in FIG. 7, together with its optional operating disc 52. In this embodiment, the operator magnet 50 is permanently glued into the disc 52 to ensure the magnet 50 does not become a choking hazard to a child. This operator magnet 50 is positioned below the stage 12 (as shown in FIG. 2) and directly beneath the character 22, thus allowing the magnet 50 to engage with the magnet 45. These magnets are sufficiently strong to provide a secure connection, thus allowing the user to move the character around the stage by moving the operator magnet 50 under the stage, all being outside the view of the audience.

The torso 42 and base 44 are shown in unadorned fashion, but it should be understood that any variety of designs could be used for these parts and for the characters 22, in general. Some may be clothed, and others not. Some may be made to simulate humans, other animals, plants, buildings, or almost anything else. And by making the characters 22 in this multi-piece form, a user can mix and match different character pieces to create even more options. Want a tree trunk with a human head? Want a bear's head on a flower stalk with a standard base? There are truly no limits to what a child can do with this type of design.

The character 22 shown in FIG. 7 is made of three sections, but this is only to illustrate a preferred embodiment. Characters with two sections or four or more sections may be used. And single piece characters also may be used. All of these variations are within the scope of the invention disclosed here.

In the most preferred embodiment, the recessed base magnet 45 and the operator magnet 50 have well-defined poles which will align with the opposed pole of the other magnet. This feature allows the character 22 to be aligned securely with the operator base 52. That means a user can be sure of the alignment of the character 22 without having to see it. For example, the operator base 52 may have a raised dimple (not shown) or a visible marking to indicate its front, which in use would ensure a connected character 22 is facing directly forward (i.e., toward the audience).

This alignment of opposed magnet poles allows the user to easily control characters in a play. For example, two characters speaking will normally face each other, and the user can easily accomplish this from below the stage using this feature of the invention. The user can also turn characters during a scene when needed, for example, when turning to leave a room. All of these actions can be performed by a hidden user, who doesn't need to even see the actual characters during the scene.

Two rows of slotted side beams 28 run from the top left and top right of the magnetically receptive front vented surface 16 to the magnetically receptive rear surface 18. These beams 28 may be about 3 inches tall and ½ inch thick, with uniform slots, spaced at about every ¼ inch to receive the magnetically receptive wings 30 and magnetically receptive drops 32, which slide in between the protrusions of the side beams 36, filling in the space in the slots of the side beam 38. The inside and outside of the uniform slots may receive some type of identifying mark such as a color, letter, or image to codify the same slot on the opposite side of the elevated surface. This will help the child insert the magnetic wings 30 and magnetic drops 32 correctly.

Magnetic drops 32 are blank faced surfaces that are the same width as the distance between the inside of each slot 38. The magnetic drop 32 may be taller than the magnetically receptive front vented surface 16, which allows a child to grip the magnetic drop 32 for insertion and removal. The magnetic drop may contain a scenic representation that is printed on the surface, but may also be made of vinyl or white board like surface, which allows a child to draw with marker, paint, pen, or other writing instrument so that a child can create its own illustrations.

Magnetic wings 30 are cut in the center, and may match the exact dimensions of the opening in the magnetically receptive front vented surface 16, or may have wider sides to reduce the visible area of the stage (e.g., as seen in FIG. 2). These magnetic wings 30 provide coverage for sight lines in a theatrical production and can remain blank or can receive magnetic scenery to create cut-out style scenery.

The strength of a magnetic fabric 34 inside or on the surface of the magnetic wing 30 or magnetic drop 32 may be required to be strong enough to penetrate both sides making each magnetic wing 30 and magnetic drop 32 versatile. A means to encourage magnetic relationship is done via the magnetic fabric 34, such as rubber steel, iron, or sheet magnet with a multi-pole surface such as Ultra-mag material (i.e., a commercially available product). The magnetic fabric 34 may have a thickness of 0.1 to 0.6 millimeters.

The magnetic scenery 24 may be made of a multi-pole sheeting with a thickness of 0.1 mm −0.6 mm, that can be layered as noted above. The multi-pole magnets may be any amount of pole per inch but preferably will be 14-16, which allows for a reliable amount of north/south poles on a magnetic fabric 34, and will ensure scenery items 24 stay attached when magnetic drops 32 and magnetic wings 30 are manipulated. The magnetic scenery 24 may consist of trees, house, sky, clouds, castles, bricks, etc. The magnetic scenery 24 may be cut to the exact shape of the illustration, leaving little to no border assuring seamless visual aesthetics. An alternative embodiment of the magnetic scenery 24 may be combined with magnetic fabric 34 on both sides, allowing a significant number of magnetic scenery 24 to be placed on top of each other.

The magnetic fabric 34 may also be an extra strength sheet of multi-pole magnetic sheeting that is strong enough to penetrate the front 16 to receive magnetic scenic illustrations or scenery 24, and may be housed inside the front surface 16 or placed on the front vented surface 16 with a type of laminate on top of the magnetic fabric 34 to protect the material.

The magnetic character 22 may be interconnected using recessed ferro-magnets, which are safer than rare earth magnets for this type of use. If magnets are used to connect the sections of the character 22, the magnets would essentially replace the slot and tab structure described above in connection with FIG. 7. Either option will work

Preferably, the magnetically receptive material 34 is made of a type of fabric that maintains magnetism uniformly throughout the entirety of the magnetically receptive wing 30, magnetically receptive drop 32, and magnetically receptive vented front surface 16, by maintain a proper dipole moment of positive and negative ends uniformly throughout the fabric.

There also may be an additional drop 32 with a space for a smartphone or tablet to be enclosed and become included in the performance by providing audio stimulus, visual stimulus, or a combination of both to enhance the performance.

Preferably the apparatus further comprises a magnetically enhanced curtain engaged with the magnetically receptive vented front surface 16 enabled in an open position as shown in FIG. 1, for viewing the magnetic characters 22, and alternatively may be manipulated to a closed state, not shown, for inhibiting such viewing.

While the invention has been described with reference to at least one preferred embodiment, it is to be clearly understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited thereto. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be interpreted only in conjunction with the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A miniature magnetic theater, comprising: an upwardly facing elevated surface providing a front end and a rear end for supporting at least one magnetic character thereon, fixed between a magnetically receptive vented front surface having a bottom end and a top end and a magnetically receptive rear surface having a bottom end and a top end; and, at least one beam having multiple slots fixed between both said top end of said front surface and said top end of said bottom surface.
 2. A miniature magnetic theater, the apparatus claimed in claim 1 further comprising: said slots maintain a width of 0.5 to 1.5 cm.
 3. A miniature magnetic theater, the apparatus claimed in claim 1 further comprising: a magnetically receptive drop that is adhesive to magnetic material, used with magnetic characters, and slides between said slots.
 4. A miniature magnetic theater, the apparatus claimed in claim 1 further comprising: a magnetically receptive wing that is adhesive to magnetic material, used with magnetic characters, and slides between said slots.
 5. A miniature magnetic theater, comprising: at least two magnetic characters that are adhesive to said magnetically receptive surfaces and are transient provided by manipulation through or on said elevated surface, said magnetically receptive drop, and said magnetically receptive wing.
 6. A miniature magnetic theater, the apparatus claimed in claim 5 further comprising: said magnetic characters are made of three interconnected components enclosing ferro-magnets or other magnets such as rare earth.
 7. A miniature magnetic theater, the apparatus claimed in claim 5 further comprising: at least one magnetic manipulator used to control, provided by manipulation, magnetic characters through said elevated surface.
 8. A miniature magnetic theater, the apparatus claimed in claim 5 further comprising: at least one magnetically enhanced scenery that is adhesive to said magnetically receptive drop, said magnetically receptive wing, or said magnetically receptive surface used as a scenery. 